The Conditions of Discipleship (Lk. 9:23-27)

Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 Truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

Jesus invited the crowd to follow him, to be committed to participate in God’s kingdom (Lk. 10:9) in the same way that he is committed.  They must be willing to suffer humiliation and even death if they commit daily to living as he lives to further the kingdom of God.  They will be challenging the Jewish leadership by teaching the true understanding of the Law and the prophets.  Those who are self-centered and preoccupied with self-interests, and do not follow his teaching about the kingdom, will suffer the consequences when Jesus comes in his glory.  Jesus addressed his disciples specifically when he said that some of them will not die until they receive the full understanding of the kingdom of God.  That was given to them by the Holy Spirit after the resurrection at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).

Almighty God, grant us the grace to follow Jesus faithfully and to commit our daily lives to further your kingdom even if it means suffering as your Son did.  This we pray through Christ our Lord.  Amen!

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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.